Water-logged roads, massive traffic jams after Delhi downpour

New Delhi  :  Heavy rains, accompanied by thunder and lightning, lashed the capital Tuesday resulting in flooded roads and massive traffic jams.

Vehicles moved at a snail’s pace in north and south Delhi due to clogged drains that resulted in roads getting water-logged. Lighting and thunder were reported from some parts of north Delhi.

“Traffic is heavy on the Ring Road stretch from Moolchand (in south Delhi) to Dhaula Kuan (around 10 km) due to the heavy downpour,” said a traffic police officer.

Commuters who were rushing to their destinations to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan were left high and dry due to the showers.

Raksha Bandhan involves tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother’s wrist for his well-being while he vows to protect her.

“Traffic jams are the same story every year. Soon sisters will be sending e-rakhis and brothers online gifts,” tweeted Niraj Shah of south Delhi.

“It is just a 15-minute ride from the Metro station to my home but I have been stuck in the traffic for over an hour now,” said Naresh Kumar of Outram Lines in north Delhi.

The city has received 13 mm of rainfall since 8.30 a.m. Monday.

Since the arrival of monsoon, the capital has received 650 mm of rainfall, 44 percent above the average.

Monday’s maximum temperature was recorded a notch below average at 32.6 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was 26.3 degrees Celsius, average for this time of the year.